Superintendent reports 10 HIB investigations since Nov. 17; board affirms determinations and approves routine personnel and education items
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Richard Corbett reported 10 HIB investigations since Nov. 17, four affirmed (three at Copeland Middle School, one at DBL), and the board voted to affirm the superintendent's recommendations while approving personnel, education, special-education and finance items.
Superintendent Dr. Richard Corbett told the Rockaway Township Board of Education that, since Nov. 17, district staff completed 10 HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) investigations. Of those investigations, four were affirmed; three confirmed incidents occurred at Copeland Middle School and one at DBL (as recorded in the superintendent’s public report).
"There have been since November 17, 10 HIB investigations. Of the 10 HIB investigations, 4 were affirmed. Of the 4 that were affirmed, 3 occurred at Copeland Middle School, 1 occurred at DBO," Corbett said during the superintendent's report.
After the report, the board moved to affirm the superintendent's recommendations on listed HIB cases. The roll-call vote recorded one abstention (Mrs. Gorman) and otherwise passed the resolution to adopt the superintendent's determinations as presented on the public agenda.
The board also considered and approved routine personnel items, including the addition of two substitute teachers (recorded in the motion as Haley Fashion and Robert Fitzsimmons) and two additional walk-on personnel items for the E-section. The personnel motion was approved by roll-call vote as recorded in the minutes.
Separately, the board took roll-call votes approving the education section of the agenda, special-education items and finance items; all motions carried as recorded.
Why it matters: HIB determinations are formal findings that can trigger remedial plans and impact student supports and discipline. The superintendent’s public report gives the community a summary of investigations and the board's vote records the district’s formal stance on those findings.
Next steps: The superintendent said the full superintendent’s report will be provided at the board’s second January meeting. The board will implement any recommended remedial measures and follow the reporting and corrective steps tied to confirmed HIB findings.